eason on the job in 2006-07, the Raptors won their only A

Patience may be a key virtue for Australias Test batsmen in Sri Lanka, according to Joe Burns, who hit 72 in the ongoing practice match at the P Sara Oval. Burns half-century was one of three in Australias solid 431 for 9. The visitors scored at 3.53 runs an over against a modest Sri Lankan XI attack, but Burns suggested Australia should become accustomed to a slow run rate, given the nature of the surfaces they are likely to encounter on tour.Weve talked as a batting group about needing to be patient for long periods on the subcontinent, Burns said. If they bowl good areas, its tough work and slow going. You have to be committed to trying to bat all day. I guess thats one disappointing thing to come out of the day - all our batsmen spent some time at the crease but no one went on to get a big score.When bowlers are bowling straight, with straight fields, you hit the fielders a lot. You go long periods where youre not scoring quickly, and then you might get a few boundaries away in a cluster. Thats generally how scoring goes on low, slow wickets with reverse swing and spin bowling. You just have to ride the waves and wait for the sets to come in.Burns was tested by both seam and spin during his stay. He and Shaun Marsh made a quick start against the new ball in the third session of the first day, but were more measured as the innings wore on - particularly to left-arm seamer Vimukthi Perera and the spin bowlers. Burns was eventually dismissed by Perera, who angled a ball in through his defences early on day two.You just have to be prepared to buckle in and try and go with the conditions, Burns said. Theres nothing too much you can do about it as a batter. As a batting group were prepared for those long battles. Hopefully we can bat for extended periods of time going into the Test series.The Australian batsmen largely scored their runs square of the pitch with a few venturing slog sweeps to push the spinners off their lengths. Burns suggested this could be a trend through the Test series.I guess here - with the lower, slower wickets - you hit more balls than perhaps you would in Australia, especially because bowlers bowl straighter as well. I guess you want to be hitting straight, but that seems to be where the fielders are. Generally you probably pick up your runs quite square, even though youre trying to hit straight. There are also periods when its reversing quite a lot, and then it will die down.The Australians are 202 runs ahead with one wicket in hand, at stumps on day two of the three-day encounter. Cheap AS Roma FC Jerseys . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Cheap Colombia Jerseys . 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"Paul sent me a text this morning, just told me he loved me and wanted to go out and fight as hard as I would any other day," Simpson said Sunday after doing just that.Bryan Colangelos time as general manager of the Toronto Raptors is over. However, he will remain with the team in his role as team president. Colangelo will continue to report directly to new Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke but will no longer have the final say on the teams basketball decisions. That job will belong to the teams new general manager, whom Leiweke is hoping to have in place within the next 30 days. Several reports have said the Raptors first choice would be to bring back Denver Nuggets GM Masai Ujiri, who worked under Colangelo with the Raptors from 2007-10 first as director of global scouting and later as assistant GM. Other names like Ed Stefanski, the Raptors current vice-president of basketball operations, Oklahoma City Thunder assistant GM Troy Weaver and Indiana Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard have also been listed as potential successors. Whomever Leiweke chooses, he made it clear that it will be their team to run. "Bryan is going to have to take a deep breath every now and then, and understand there is a GM that has the final decisions on basketball," Leiweke said during a conference call on Tuesday. Leiweke gave Colangelo "high marks" for his ability to grow basketball in Toronto, but was clear that the time was right to take the teams basketball operations in a new direction. "I think we all know there is great debate about decisions made in the past eight years, and in particular in the past five years not making the playoffs," Leiweke said. "There is accountability here. We need a new set of eyes and a new thinking towards how we, from a basketball standpoint, go forward." Leiweke also acknowledged that the situation is complex and will take sacrifice, especially from Colangelo, who wanted to remain as GM. "Do I understand that its going to tax Bryan a little bit? One-hundred per cent," Leiweke said. "But I think given the circumstances we found ourselves in, the timing of the decision ... and given his choices, I believe it is in everyones best interest to make this work. "Bryan is ticked off at me, this isnt his perfect world either. But to his credit he accepts the role," he said. Andd if things dont work out as planned, Leiweke said he will do whatever is necessary to rectify the situation.dddddddddddd "Bryan is going to have to live with this; I hope he can because if he cant Im fairly certain were not going to fire the Toronto Raptors." For his part, Colangelo, while making it clear he would have preferred to stay on as GM, said he believes the future is bright for the Raptors. "I think we are poised for success and I want to be a part of it," he said. In his new role, Colangelo will continue to advise Leiweke on basketball-related matters while broadening his involvement in the business side of the franchise. Colangelo also said he will respect the boundaries of his new position and be of whatever help he can be to his successor. "The bottom line is: If I get in the way, I wont be around," he said. "If Im asked my opinion, Ill give it. "I think the new guy will appreciate that Im there in his corner." One area in particular Leiweke is hoping Colangelo will contribute is in growing the Raptors footprint in Canada. And on that front, the team is bidding to host the NBA All-Star Game in 2016 which also happens to be the Raptors 20th anniversary. "Toronto is not bidding on the 2016 All-Star Game, Canada is," said Leiweke. "Were the only NBA in Canada and we have to start acting like it. "Our goal is to be Canadas Team." Leiweke also said that should other basketball jobs open up with another team, Colangelo would be free to explore those opportunities. Colangelo joined the Raptors on February 28, 2006 – exactly one day after he had resigned his position as president and general manager with the Phoenix Suns. In his first full season on the job in 2006-07, the Raptors won their only Atlantic division title in franchise history and earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Colangelo was named the NBAs Executive of the Year following the season. The team again qualified for the playoffs in 2007-08 with a 41-41 record. However, they have not finished with a record above .500 since. The Raptors finished 34-48 this season and missed the playoffs for a fifth str